Sr. IP Counsel, Leica Biosystems

Overview

The Sr. IP Counsel is responsible for patent and trademark activities as well as exclusivity analysis at varying levels of complexity. This role advises business and general legal stakeholders on patent and/or trademark matters, provides guidance on product exclusivity, and supports freedom to operate (FTO) counseling.

This position reports to the Chief IP Counsel and is part of the IP team. This is a remote role.

Responsibilities

• Integrate with R&D teams to understand technology and products and identify key IP opportunities, enabling innovative protection strategies.
• Provide full-range patent support, including:
  • Preparation and prosecution of patent applications
  • Freedom-to-operate (FTO) studies, including infringement and validity analysis
  • Client counseling
• Monitor third-party patent activity and assess competitive IP positioning.
• Manage the selection, integration, and ongoing compliance of open-source software components used across products, including license review and security vetting.
• Manage the company’s trademark portfolio, including filing strategy, prosecution, renewals, and enforcement, in coordination with outside counsel.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school with excellent academic credentials.
• Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Minimum of 8+ years of IP legal experience, including hands-on patent prosecution of complex portfolios and drafting/negotiating IP-related agreements in both law firm and in-house settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field, with relevant coursework or experience in medical diagnostics or life sciences preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant coursework or experience in medical diagnostics or life sciences.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $220,000–$250,000 USD (or hourly range, if applicable).
  • This range is believed to reflect the possible compensation range for this role at the time of this posting and may be modified in the future.
• Eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Location

Remote work arrangement: eligible to work remotely from home.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants and employees with disabilities as required by law.